Wild tomatoes? Are they safe? Are they actually even tomatoes?

Question

In a few out of the way patches of my lawn there have cropped up a bunch of plants that look suspiciously like tomato plants.  However, I have lived in this house for 5 years and have never planted any tomatoes.  The leaves have that fresh, verdant typical "tomato leaf" smell, they started sprouting little pre-tomato-like flowers and now they are bearing small gourd shaped fruit.  They are green now but look like they are starting to turn red.  Are these...tomatoes?  How did they get there?  And are they safe.  Be a shame to let them go to waste if they are, because it looks like there are going to be alot of them...

trees75094 · Accepted Answer

I'm guessing they're tomatoes, too.  I've eaten lots of "volunteer" tomatoes and they are usually great.

If you're worried they aren't tomatoes, take them to a local nursery or your County Agriculture Division.  They can give you a positive I.D. on them.  They'll be listed online under your County government.

ไม่ประสงค์ออกนาม · Answer

Be absolutely sure that they are tomatoes.  Tomatoes are part of the nightshade family and that family includes some very poisonous plants.  Get someone to identify the plants prior to eating them.

http://www.angelfire.com/realm/shades/plants/nightshade.htm

Joan H · Answer

Tomatoes will "volunteer" from one year to the next.  Did you happen to throw a tomato out there, last year?  They usually will not come back the next year, true, meaning they will not look like the tomato from last year, but they are safe to eat.  Usually they are smaller.

Ironmaiden · Answer

They are probably Tomatoes that the person who lived in your house before you moved in planted.

TAGGER · Answer

They are fine. My wife and I eat wild tomatoes that grow along the sea walls in Rockport Mass. They grow in the sand and rocks, just at the sands edge. They are fantastic....eat away! Tagger

Wild tomatoes? Are they safe? Are they actually even tomatoes?

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